First published 2011
This collection presents urban fantasy through three distinct approaches. The mythic fiction section features stories that blend traditional folklore with contemporary settings, including Neil Gaiman's exploration of storytelling and Peter S. Beagle's take on unicorns in modern contexts. The paranormal romance section delivers supernatural creatures navigating relationships and personal conflicts, with Patricia Briggs contributing a story about supernatural bonds and Carrie Vaughn offering a zombie-themed New Year tale. The noir fantasy section combines detective fiction with supernatural elements, featuring Holly Black's vampire story set in Coldtown and Tim Powers' tale of a biblical manuscript restorer. Each section includes an introduction from genre experts Charles de Lint, Paula Guran, and Joe R. Lansdale. The stories range from Emma Bull's mystical narratives to Bruce McAllister's darker explorations. Authors create characters like tattooed demon hunters, conflicted vampires, and supernatural detectives who operate in worlds where magic intersects with urban life. The anthology captures how modern fantasy writers merge traditional mythological elements with contemporary pop culture references.
Genres: fantasy, paranormal-romance, urban-fantasy
Vibes: suspenseful, thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: found-family, supernatural-creatures
Setting: Coldtown
431 pages · Paperback · Tachyon Publications